I love a novel with a sarcastic, funny, smart-ass lead character, and Lucy doesn’t disappoint. She has moved to L.A., but she’s called back to the small Texas town where she grew up, for her Grama’s 80th birthday bash. Lucy…
Review of The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker
I loved this book, and I urge you to read it! The main character is, obviously, Cecily Larson, who was left by her mom at an orphanage in Chicago when she was four. Her mom had good intentions, but for…
Review of The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang and Recipe for Easy Egg Rolls
The Phoenix Crown is set in the early 1900’s, before, during, and after the Great Earthquake in San Francisco. The main characters are aspiring opera singer Gemma, botanist Alice, Chinese Embroiderers Suling, and artist Reggie. Their lives are touched forever…
A Review of Back in the Burbs and Recipe for NJ Disco Fries
Back in the Burbs is a collaboration between two best-selling authors, Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn. These are young women, and their youthful vibe is reflected in main character Mallory, whose life is falling apart when we meet her. Her marriage has…
Swan Song is Elin Hilderbrand’s last novel
Well, Coyly, her website says it’s her last Nantucket novel. That’s leaving the door open, of course, for more novels, right? One can hope… The woman is 61, and perhaps she has decided to re-invent herself. Her kids are grown,…
Review of End of Story by A. J. Finn & Recipe for Green Goddess Dressing
End of Story by A. J. Finn is a well-crafted mystery novel that will keep you up at night. But only for a few nights, as you’ll finish it very quickly. It’s one of those novels where each chapter ends…
Page-Turners – The 5 Best New Fiction Books of 2024
If you’re like me, your mind is already on your next book even while you’re in the middle of a great one now. I am always on the lookout for what’s new and good. Also, I like to be ahead…
Review of The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins & Recipe for World’s Greatest Chicken Casserole (aka Poppyseed Chicken)
The Heiress is a page-turner. Once you begin, it is very difficult to put it down. And if you are one of those readers, like I am, who always want to read the ending half-way through the book, consider yourself warned:…
Top 5 Must Read New Fiction for 2024
I am always on the lookout for something new to read. I know there are many great books from the past that I have not visited; however, there is something exciting about being one of the first to read a…
Review of Queens of London by Heather Webb & Recipe for Chicken Curry
Queens of London by Heather Webb is the story of Alice Diamond and her band of thieves in 1920’s London. Based on real folks, this is entertaining historical fiction with a cast of characters from a variety of backgrounds. Alice…